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Synopsis

Embark on a journey to reclaim a crown that Drangleic’s King Vendrick once owned. This perilous quest will lead you through an entirely different world within the Dark Souls II universe, where stepped pyramids span a vast underground cavern. It is said that one of the ancient crowns lay buried deep within these dark caverns but surely such a valued item cannot sit unguarded. Explore in search of a crown that holds the strength of lords from times long past.

Gamer Reviews

Critic Reviews

12 Reviews

8.05

Game Revolution

8.00

Anthony LaBella — Jul 25, 2014

Crown of the Sunken King marks the first piece of DLC in a planned trilogy, and it's a wonderful opening chapter. It doesn't reach the heights of Dark Souls' Artorias of the Abyss and features design flaws that hold it back, but the simple bliss of more Souls content is something fans can get behind (as long as they mentally prepare themselves for death and despair).

Now Gamer

8.50

Now Gamer — Jul 29, 2014

Still, in terms of resurrecting the excellent combat and RPG mechanics the series is known for, we can look past a narrative that has become even more obscured by this update and say that, if more Dark Souls 2 is what you’re after, this scratches that particular itch brilliantly.

Polygon

8.50

Dave Tach — Jul 22, 2014

Even when it's frustrating, Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Sunken King balances out its rough patches with a sense of unbridled satisfaction. It's a perfect example of the interplay between tension and relief that the Souls series has become famous for. Crown of the Sunken King may be an optional expansion, but it transcends its own status. It ranks among the best Souls levels I've ever played — and damn near beaten.

GameSpot

8.00

Miguel Concepcion — Jul 24, 2014

As I began my eight-hour playthrough of Crown of the Sunken King, a line from The Shawshank Redemption echoed in my head: "And if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a little further." I was willing and, with every Souls playthrough to date, I have been rewarded accordingly. Crown of the Sunken King's standout exploratory design and abundance of engaging enemy encounters make it a terrific adventure, though a hair short of being essential. Equally significant is that it succeeds at raising the stakes for the next installment.

The Escapist

9.00

Justin Clouse — Jul 31, 2014

If you like Dark Souls it's more new Dark Souls to explore. The excellent level design in this latest outing is some of the best in the series. Fans of Dark Souls 2, and those that prefer the original to the sequel, will want to grab this right away or wait for all three episodes over the next few months.

Game Reactor

9.00

Philip Lauritz Poulsen — Jul 25, 2014

Crown of the Sunken King is challenging, and that's a big plus in the Dark Souls universe. It took us around 7 hours to complete, but had we been able to complete it without dying it would have been half of that time. It may not sound like much, but it felt like an appropriate amount of content for this sort of DLC.